Questions about getting a UV sterilizer

Blinky

Gone
Jun 22, 2004
2,995
0
0
51
Toronto, Canada
Visit site
I've been having some problems with green water in my tank - heavily planted, recently changed the substrate to flourite, CF lighting and DIY CO2. I'm trying to deal with it as an imbalance that needs correcting - adjusting nutrient levels, lighting period, etc., but I'm also considering getting a UV sterilizer if nothing else works.
I did some looking, and all the aquarium UV sterilizers I found are 'in line' type, so I'd need to be using a cannister filter as far as I can tell - there's no way I can conceive of getting it to work with HOB filters / powerheads, which are all I have at my disposal right now. If anyone's seen one with a pump, please let me know!
Can anyone offer opinions about the best type of setup - is there an option for a UV sterilizer without having to switch to a cannister? If not, would a fluidized bed filter be a good option, or is Eheim / Fluval cannister the way to go? Any and all thoughts are appreciated.
 
you can just plumb them to a waterpump or powerhead, putting a prefilter before the water goes through the uv helps it stay clean.
 
That's promising news! Can I ask you to give me a description of what the setup looks like so I'd know what I would need to get in the way of hoses etc.? I've got two powerheads sitting around, so this sounds like it could definitely be an option.
[edit] I found a picture of a UV sterilizer (Current USA Gamma 8 Watt T5 U.V. Sterilizer) that is designed to work with a powerhead (or inline), but I'm not sure exactly how the powerhead would connect to it - are there attachments made for this, or is there something I'm not seeing? I'm including a picture of it in the 'stand alone' setup - I can see the outflow, but the intake is pointing down and this is why I'm not sure how the powerhead would attach. They don't seem to list any additional parts or indicate that any are needed - I'm confused!
gamma_standalone.jpg
[/edit]
 
Last edited:
AquariaCentral.com